Liechtenstein 499 to 843 AD

The people of the Liechtenstein valley were to experience much war and devastation during the Middle Ages. But their strength of character and perseverance would win through and eventually history’s twists and turn would lead them into their own nationhood and a time of increasing peace and prosperity. But for the years from the 6th to the 17th century they would be ruled by a collection of dukes, barons and knight most of who were greedy, inept and tyrannical.

As Roman power declined in the 5th century, the Alemanni moved into the area. For awhile both cultures existed side by side. In 496 AD, The Franks under Clovis conquered the Alemanni, and Rhaetia including the Liechtenstein valley became part of the Kingdom of the Franks. Rhaetia had been divided into two parts with Liechtenstein valley lying in Lower Rhaetia under an Imperial Governor at Curia Rhaetorum (Chur). In 536 AD, the Ostrogoths gained Rhaetia from the Franks and the province became part of the Alemannic Duchy in lower Rhaetia. For many years members of the Merovigian and Carolingian dynasties with the help of the Victoriden, a noble family would rule the area. In the 7th Century, the Franks strove to gain control over the Alemanni. The concept of counties was introduced and a Count ruled each county but in answer to the king. At first under a strong king, this system flourished. Later under corrupt and weak Merovingian rulers, feuds and warfare between Counts of various counties laid waste to the countryside.

In 751 AD, Pipin the Small became the King of the Franks, disposing Childeric III, the last of the Merovingian kings. The Carolingian dynasty was to see great changes in Rhaetia and the valley. In 800 AD Charlemagne, Pipin’s son, was crowned Emperor of the West and King of the Franks. He concentrated all government functions in his hands and pushed the idea of divine right of kings to rule. During his reign, the lands were ruled well and the people prospered. The Christian Church grew strong and gained converts. In 806 AD Charlemagne gave the Duchy of Chur, which included the Liechtenstein valley at that time, to his son Pippin. In 843 the treaty of Verdun gave the Duchy to Louis the German and it then became part of the Duchy of Swabia. After nearly three centuries of Frankish rule, Alemannia and Chur-Rhaetia were now under German control.

The Christian Church became the dominant church but vestiges of pagan beliefs still lingered in the valley. The peasants went about their daily lives, family, herding their cattle, fishing and hunting. They paid their taxes and rendered the required services to the local lords and knights as well as to the king. They were the first to suffer in the constant warfare. They lost their homes when the Rhine flooded in the spring. They buried their dead when plagues struck their communities. But the common folk persevered and built the groundwork for the future nation of Liechtenstein.

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